HW Shorts APP International National News

US CRS Suggests CAA May Breach Indian Constitution

A recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), an independent research wing of the US Congress, has raised concerns that specific provisions of Indiaโ€™s newly implemented Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) could potentially violate the Constitution.

The CAA, which was enacted in 2019 but implemented in March 2024, amended the 1955 Citizenship Act to allow undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, a path to citizenship.

According to the CRS report, โ€œThe CAAโ€™s key provisions โ€” allowing immigrants of six religions from three countries a path to citizenship while excluding Muslims โ€” may violate certain Articles of the Indian Constitution.โ€

The report highlights apprehensions that, combined with the planned National Register of Citizens (NRC), the CAA could jeopardize the rights of Indiaโ€™s Muslim minority population. Those opposing the act view it as part of the ruling BJPโ€™s โ€œHindu majoritarian, anti-Muslim agendaโ€ that threatens Indiaโ€™s secular foundations and violates international human rights norms.

Noting the timing of the CAAโ€™s implementation amidst the BJPโ€™s re-election campaign, the report states, โ€œsome observers view the timing as motivated largely by politics.โ€

Citing critics, it contends the CAA โ€œforwarding alleged Modi-BJP efforts to undermine Indiaโ€™s secular ethos and establish what one senior observer calls โ€˜an ethnic democracy that equates the [Hindu] majoritarian community with the nationโ€™ and relegates others to second-class status.โ€

While an advisory body to the US Congress, the CRS does not represent official congressional views. However, its findings add to the concerns previously voiced by the Biden administration, which stated it is closely monitoring the CAAโ€™s implementation in India.

For its part, the Indian government has dismissed criticism, maintaining the CAA, which is primarily aimed at granting citizenship, not revoking it from any community. In a statement, the Centre assured us that no Indian citizen would lose citizenship due to this legislation.

As the CAA remains a contentious issue internally and attracts international scrutiny, its eventual implementation and fallout will be closely watched, especially regarding its potential impact on Indiaโ€™s Muslim population and secular principles.

Also Read: Opposition Uproar Follows PM Modiโ€™s โ€˜Large Familyโ€™ Comment

Dear Readers,
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
Some error occurred

Related posts

News Hub